Valentine Ikechukwu: Police Recover Body of 16-Year-Old Nigerian Boy Who Drowned in UK Lake

• The body of 16-year-old Nigerian teenager Valentine Ikechukwu, who drowned in Colwick Country Park Lake, has been recovered
• A multi-agency rescue operation led by Nottinghamshire Police and emergency services resulted in the discovery of the body on April 30
• Nottinghamshire Police noted that Valentine’s death is not considered suspicious, and his family is being supported by trained officers through this difficult time

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

The body of a United Kingdom-based Nigerian teenager identified as Valentine Ikechukwu, who drowned in a lake at Colwick Country Park on April 30, has been recovered.

Nottinghamshire Police confirmed the incident in an official statement shared on Facebook, on Thursday, May 8.

According to the police, the 16-year-old had got into trouble while swimming in the lake.

As reported by The Punch, emergency responders were alerted to the scene at about 5:00pm on the day of the incident, and a search and rescue operation was conducted.

The statement added that the teenager’s body was recovered at about 8:00pm following an extensive search coordinated by the police and emergency responders.

The statement read:

“Emergency services were called to Colwick Country Park at 5.20 pm on Wednesday, April 30, after Valentine got into difficulty whilst swimming in the lake.

“A multi-agency rescue operation was launched, involving a police underwater search team, assisted by Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service. He was discovered shortly before 8 pm.”

UK police share further update

Reacting to the incident, Police Detective Inspector, Gail Routledge, noted that “Valentine’s family is being supported by specially trained officers following this incident.”

He added:

“This was a tragedy where a young boy lost his life. Our thoughts remain with Valentine’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.

“While work continues to understand how Valentine came into difficulty, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the devastating consequences of entering open water, regardless of whether people do so deliberately or inadvertently.”

Family reacts

Meanwhile, Valentine’s family described him as a well-behaved son, and his loss has left the family devastated.

“Long live Valentine, forever 16. He was a former Nottingham College student and was well-liked amongst his friends. Words cannot describe what we are going through right now.

“We would kindly request privacy so that we can grieve as a family and try to come to terms with what has happened to our Valentine. He will be forever missed.”

Nottinghamshire Police further confirmed that “Valentine’s death is not being treated as suspicious, and a file is being prepared for the Coroner.”

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Nigerian nurse found dead in UK apartment

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a Nigerian nurse died in the UK, according to information shared on social media by those who knew her.

A social media post claimed the lady just returned from Nigeria, where she did her marriage introduction.

According to the post, she was found dead in her apartment in Leeds, UK, after people could not reach her for days.

Source: Legit.ng